Perform an
activity that is physiologically incompatible with stress ... Do it right
now!
Lock yourself in your office for 5 minutes alone and sing, dance or do
something silly. This will give you a short respite from the emotional and
physiological effects of stress. Don't sit there and roll your eyes ...
Try it!

You
might be pleasantly surprised! Want to really see the power of this
technique? Invite a stressed out colleague to join you! The laughter and
comaraderie can be huge tension relievers which set the tone for improved
coping for the rest of your shift. Just try it!

Not into singing
or dancing? Then keep a stash of stress-relieving toys handy. You can find
some terrific yet inexpensive ones at
Office Playground.

Change
Your Environment!

Initiate positive changes in your work setting. Enlist the support
of your colleagues.

Pick up a copy of
Leiter & Maslach's excellent book,
Banishing Burnout. Let the authors show you how your work environment is causing your burnout ... and what to do about it!
Or check out our other
recommended books
on burnout.

Don't
overlook your "mental environment." Set appropriate limits
on your time and your employer when you can. And don't forget all
those relaxation exercises you've recommended for
your clients.

Get some helpful
stress-busting tips from
the Canadian Mental Health Association, where you'll find a whole
mini-site about coping with stress.

Curl up with a good book. Stimulate your mind and reinvigorate
your professional enthusiasm with a good
social work book.
.

Get
away! Take a trip with a loved one. If you can't get time off work,
make an overnight outing, take a day trip, or otherwise do something
to provide yourself with a change of scenery.

A
Word of Encouragement to the Totally
Fried

If you're feeling entirely burned out, exhausted, and
just plain fed up, please get some help! Take some
time off. Call in sick if you have to! Use your
Employee Assistance Program or insurance benefit to
get some counseling.

Remember that you do have
options. Even if you feel financially stuck and unable to leave a job, you
can still explore second income opportunities with the ultimate goal of
liberating yourself from that chained-to-this-job feeling.

Please try to count your blessings and
appreciate the good things in your life. Don't lose sight of them while
work is bringing you down.